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Friday's letters: Universal basic income is possible

Author of the article:

Edmonton Journal

Publishing date:

May 15, 2020 • 3 minute read

Part of a cheque for the $2,000 Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB), a taxable award from the Canadian government made every 4 weeks for up to 16 weeks to eligible workers who have lost their income due to coronavirus disease (COVID-19), is seen in Toronto, Ontario, Canada April 16, 2020.CHRIS HELGREN/ REUTERS

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When Alberta was struck by this global pandemic and a spiraling economic crisis, social workers knew that health and social services would be critical to meet the needs of an increasing number of people plunged into crisis. The COVID-19 pandemic is serving as a spotlight, exposing the gap-filled systems for what they really are — a threadbare fabric of our society.

The public health crisis has demonstrated there are many that are only one paycheque away from hunger and homelessness. To meet the urgent needs of Canadians, federal and provincial governments took immediate action to implement emergency support programs. Social workers have long advocated for a universal basic income guarantee. Governments have now demonstrated that critical financial supports, previously impossible, are now possible.

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From crisis comes opportunity to create a new normal — to implement radical system change to address poverty and ensure greater social and economic equity for all.

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Jody-Lee Farrah, executive director (acting),Alberta College of Social Workers

Now is the time for a sales tax

With the majority of the province and the country concerned with the cost of a pandemic to the economy, this seems like a perfect time for us to unite behind a bipartisan two-per-cent increase in the sales tax.

In Alberta, this PST could be devoted entirely to paying down the debt incurred by supporting citizens during the pandemic and the future investments needed to restart the economy. It could also support our big cities, hit hardest by this crisis because of their lack of income and inability to use debt in the same way as other levels of government.

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If Alberta is not willing, the federal government could do the same. A small tax designed to mitigate the damage done by COVID-19 is a literal small price to pay that a majority of Canadians should be able to get behind.

Most of us remember when the GST was seven per cent; it really wasn’t that bad.

Tom Long, Edmonton

Pandemic payouts politically motivated

I am one of the lucky seniors receiving a vote- buying gift of $300 from our spend-easy prime minister.

Everybody is jumping onto the gravy train and clamouring for a free handout. Me too, me too! And why not? Justin is in a generous mood and it appears that most Canadians support his handling of the COVID-19 pandemic. And why not? There’s free money to be had.

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Don’t misunderstand. Help where help is needed, I fully support. There are no doubt a good number of seniors that could use a boost. But how much real thought has gone into this $2.5-billion dollar payout?

I personally have saved money this month by mostly staying home, not driving, not buying, not doing much of anything. Do I need the extra $300? No. Is this politically motivated? Absolutely.

If one has lost money in the stock market, that’s on them. Three generations will be paying for all these freebies. Are the masses so deluded so as to support this free-spending government for everyone with their hand out?

Jack Toornstra, Edmonton

Letters welcome

We invite you to write letters to the editor. A maximum of 150 words is preferred. Letters must carry a first and last name, or two initials and a last name, and include an address and daytime telephone number. All letters are subject to editing. We don’t publish letters addressed to others or sent to other publications. Email: letters@edmontonjournal.com

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